The Insight has a 1.3L four cylinder gas engine that produces 88hp on its own. Add on the 10-kilowatt integrated electric motor and it ups the horsepower on the hybrid power train to 98hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. This is what Honda calls the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. All of this drives the front wheels through a CVT transmission.
A feature of the IMA is what Honda is calling the Eco Assist or “Ecological Drive Assist System.” When you press the ECON button on the dash, various systems are controlled to get the maximum fuel efficiency possible.
Another factor of the Eco Assist is to help the driver learn to drive as efficiently as possible. Above the speedometer is a light that changes from blue when you drive aggressively to green when you are driving more efficiently.
The system also has plant leaf graphics behind the steering wheel. This feature keeps track of your driving style and gives you five leaves, then a flower if you are continuously driving green. When another journalist described this to me, I admit that it sounded, well, lame. So I hate to admit it now, but I actually found it fun. Not only does a flower win a girl like me over, but the competition between me and my boyfriend made driving green a bit of a game!
The posted fuel ratings for this new hybrid are 4.7L/100km when combining city and highway driving. After driving about 600km in mixed conditions, I was only able to get an average of 5.5L.
Behind the wheel the power does feel adequate. Driving it in the city was enjoyable. But it is not a driver’s car at all. In fact, driving this car is very electric and almost computer like. Long gone are the days of driving my dad’s old cars and listening to the engine revving and actually having to flex some muscle just to take a corner. And to make it feel even more like a computer game, trying to drive ‘green’ all the time will really trigger the kid in you.
There are two trim levels to pick from, the base LX starts at just around $25,000. If you want to add on a few features like steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, USB connector, Bluetooth interface and 15 inch alloy wheels, you're looking at an EX and its price is of $27,500. The base model Prius starts at $27,800. My advice is to test drive them both – I am confident that it will come down to personal preference.
Hybrids are the way of the future. I am very glad that Honda redesigned the Insight to keep up with this growing market. If you don’t mind the split rear window, this new Insight is much improved. It’s not going to win any races, but it will win you over with its comfort and new more useable design. Oh, and just in case you were wondering, I kicked ass and am a greener driver than my boyfriend!
photo:Honda
A feature of the IMA is what Honda is calling the Eco Assist or “Ecological Drive Assist System.” When you press the ECON button on the dash, various systems are controlled to get the maximum fuel efficiency possible.
Another factor of the Eco Assist is to help the driver learn to drive as efficiently as possible. Above the speedometer is a light that changes from blue when you drive aggressively to green when you are driving more efficiently.
The system also has plant leaf graphics behind the steering wheel. This feature keeps track of your driving style and gives you five leaves, then a flower if you are continuously driving green. When another journalist described this to me, I admit that it sounded, well, lame. So I hate to admit it now, but I actually found it fun. Not only does a flower win a girl like me over, but the competition between me and my boyfriend made driving green a bit of a game!
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| If you don’t mind the split rear window, this new Insight is much improved. |
The posted fuel ratings for this new hybrid are 4.7L/100km when combining city and highway driving. After driving about 600km in mixed conditions, I was only able to get an average of 5.5L.
Behind the wheel the power does feel adequate. Driving it in the city was enjoyable. But it is not a driver’s car at all. In fact, driving this car is very electric and almost computer like. Long gone are the days of driving my dad’s old cars and listening to the engine revving and actually having to flex some muscle just to take a corner. And to make it feel even more like a computer game, trying to drive ‘green’ all the time will really trigger the kid in you.
There are two trim levels to pick from, the base LX starts at just around $25,000. If you want to add on a few features like steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, USB connector, Bluetooth interface and 15 inch alloy wheels, you're looking at an EX and its price is of $27,500. The base model Prius starts at $27,800. My advice is to test drive them both – I am confident that it will come down to personal preference.
Hybrids are the way of the future. I am very glad that Honda redesigned the Insight to keep up with this growing market. If you don’t mind the split rear window, this new Insight is much improved. It’s not going to win any races, but it will win you over with its comfort and new more useable design. Oh, and just in case you were wondering, I kicked ass and am a greener driver than my boyfriend!
photo:Honda
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